Soldiers from the Republic of Korea Army’s 102nd Armored Brigade have demonstrated their ability to maneuver tracked vehicles in mountainous terrain during wartime rapidly.
On Tuesday, the brigade announced that it had conducted long-distance mountain maneuver training on April 9 and 28 in Jochimnyeong in Inje County, Gangwon Province. The training involved two of its subordinate units: Pung-ho Battalion, equipped primarily with K1E1 main battle tanks, and Chung-ma Battalion, which operates K200A1 armored personnel carriers.
The soldiers traveled a total of 112 kilometers round trip, starting in Goseong County, passing through Sokcho and Yangyang, and arriving at the upper reservoir of the pumped-storage hydroelectric power station in Inje.
Jochimnyeong (literally Bird Rest Pass) is named for its steep and rugged terrain—legend has it that even birds must stop to rest before crossing. Among the major mountain passes along the Baekdu-daegan range, Jochimnyeong is especially known for its sharp curves and steep gradients. The upper dam, located along the maneuver route, sits at an altitude of 940 meters—higher than the nearby Misiryeong (826 meters) and Hangye-ryeong (920 meters).
Participating soldiers honed their skills in operating tanks and armored vehicles in extreme mountain conditions. Prior to the actual maneuver, they conducted training exercises in similar terrain, practiced tactical response drills, and implemented measures to prevent safety accidents.
To minimize anxiety among local residents during the maneuver, the brigade visited nearby schools and homes in advance to inform them about the training. On the day of the exercise, residents paused their work to wave to the soldiers, and at a nearby elementary school, all students came out to the playground to cheer them on.
Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jae Hyun, commander of Pung-ho Battalion, stated, “It was a tough training mission, but we completed it through teamwork. Seeing the local residents accept the exercise and cheer us on was deeply moving.”
Lieutenant Colonel Cho Jin, commander of Chung-ma Battalion, added, “Because it was our first time operating in this area, tension was high from the preparation stage. However, our thorough planning paid off, and the training boosted the morale and confidence of our troops.”
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